As ever, the landscape of B2B marketing continues to evolve, and marketers’ strategies and tools are keeping pace. As you develop your 2026 game plan, consider which B2B marketing events might be most impactful to you and your team by helping you keep your finger on the pulse of the marketing industry.
Here are just a few of the major B2B marketing events to attend in 2026 that will offer valuable insights and strategies; provide networking opportunities with industry leaders, partners, and peers; and explore the latest event marketing trends and innovations.
Mark your calendar!
1. B2B Marketing Exchange West
B2B Marketing Exchange West (B2BMX) is intended for B2B marketers who want to deepen their expertise and make meaningful connections with both industry peers and suppliers. With sessions broken down into content tracks, advanced workshops, curated networking, and access to vendors looking for the right partnerships, this event is built to meet the B2B marker's every need.
B2BMX isn't just for marketers. Sales professionals and B2B marketers come together at this event to network, exchange best practices, meet with cross-functional leaders, explore industry challenges, and gain insights into tested solutions to take back to their own teams.
Marketing and sales are always evolving, and so should your strategies. This event is the perfect place for you to reimagine your approach to revenue generation, with inspiration to help advance your brand, build and master your tech stack, build a strong foundation for your annual revenue strategy.
Where: Carlsbad, CA (In-person)
When: March 9-11, 2026
Why Attend?: If you're a marketing professional looking for innovative strategies, actionable solutions for your biggest challenges, and meaningful connections with peers and tech providers, you're in the right place. B2BMX is intended to help you explore cutting-edge solutions from top marketing solution providers, learn how to level up your B2B marketing strategy, and build relationships with crucial industry contacts ready to help support your goals.
Register for B2B Marketing Exchange West
2. Forrester B2B Summit North America
Forrester's B2B Summit North America is where "strategy meets execution," promoting learning experiences that help marketers shape their strategies and leave the event with actionable plans and the confidence to see them through. This event brings together marketing, sales, and product leaders to share insights, discover innovative solutions to specific challenges, and streamline strategy creation.
With Forrester's deep well of industry insights and expertise at its foundation, B2B Summit's experiences and content are created by experts to help with everyday challenges, from losing momentum on sales, battling internal silos, and getting lost in a market flooded with brands.
With a direct line to current industry insights, this event is perfect for marketing strategies needing a boost to keep up and meet goals. The content at B2B Summit is geared toward turning fresh thinking into real-world initiatives, helping attendees unlock measurable ROI and outpace their competitors.
Where: Las Vegas, NV (In-person)
When: April 7-9, 2026
Why Attend?: B2B Summit is designed with several goals in mind: accelerate outcomes, align teams, drive ROI, gain clarity, and build confidence. If these goals resonate with you as you build your marketing strategy, this event is a great opportunity to meet with industry experts and get an up-close look at strategies that work and solutions to the toughest challenges.
Register for Forrester B2B Summit North America
3. Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo
Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo is driven by data analysis and expert insights. With 45+ on-site experts in attendance to break down all the content Gartner has to offer, this event is designed to help you create a marketing strategy that's informed by actionable insights and proven tactics.
With CMOs and a diverse range of marketing professionals in attendance and sessions hosted by industry analysts, you'll have plenty of opportunities to network with peers and make critical connections with experts in your field. At this event, attendees will tackle priorities like AI strategy, customer experience strategy, marketing analytics, data management, and more.
The theme of this year's event is Build What’s Next: Marketing Leadership in an AI-Driven World. With AI changing so much of the marketing and sales space, CMOs and marketing leaders must rethink their strategies, how they collaborate, and how AI challenges and changes old hat marketing.
Where: Denver, CO (In-person)
When: June 8-10, 2026
Why Attend?: If driving growth and ensuring relevance in an evolving digital landscape are high on your list of priorities, Gartner's Marketing Symposium/Xpo is designed to help with just that. This year's agenda will explore topics critical to marketing professionals, from the influence of AI on strategy to customer attention and behavior shifts.
Register for Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo
4. Cvent CONNECT
Cvent CONNECT 2026 is a must-attend event for event marketers seeking to amplify their impact in an evolving industry. This transformative conference brings together thousands of industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore the latest trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the future of events.
Cvent’s annual conference gathers the best minds in the industry to share the latest ideas and innovations in event marketing and event management technology. This event features an abundance of networking opportunities as well as unique sessions and workshops. Cvent CONNECT is your gateway to elevating your marketing initiatives, achieving greater brand visibility, and maximizing the success of your events.
One of the many highlights of Cvent CONNECT is exclusive access to cutting-edge event technologies that can transform your marketing efforts. Hands-on demonstrations and in-depth sessions showcase tools and platforms designed to streamline your workflows, enhance attendee engagement and lead generation, and deliver measurable results. These insights empower you to stay ahead of industry trends and craft more effective solutions by utilizing data-driven event marketing strategies.
With a focus on innovation and engagement, Cvent CONNECT offers unparalleled opportunities to network with industry leaders and peers who are redefining event marketing strategies. By connecting with other marketing professionals, you can share insights, uncover fresh approaches, and discover best practices to optimize your campaigns and drive ROI.
Where: Nashville, TN (In-person and virtual programming)
When: July 13-16, 2026
Why Attend?: 91% of Cvent Connect attendees say they learned how to improve their use of event technology at this conference, and 89% say this conference has provided them with networking opportunities that helped advance their careers. What’s more, 96% of attendees said they gained new ideas for event led growth at CONNECT.
Register for Cvent CONNECT 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Virtual Option? |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2B Marketing Exchange West | March 9-11, 2026 | Carlsbad, CA | No |
| Forrester B2B Summit North America | April 7-9, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV | No |
| Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo | June 8-10, 2026 | Denver, CO | No |
| Cvent CONNECT | July 13-16, 2026 | Nashville, TN | Yes |
How to get the most out of a B2B marketing event
Attending B2B marketing expos, conferences, and networking gatherings can be a game-changer for professionals looking to stay ahead in the competitive marketing landscape. For attendees, knowing how to make the most of your experience at a marketing event is the key to fulfilling your objectives and proving ROI for your attendance. The right approach can help you maximize learning, build meaningful connections, and uncover actionable insights to apply to your strategy.
Plan your goals and agenda
Before attending any B2B event, define your objectives. Whether it's networking with industry leaders, learning about the latest marketing trends, or discovering new tools, a well-prepared approach ensures that your time at marketing events is productive and focused.
Engage actively
Active participation is key to maximizing your experience at marketing conferences. Attend sessions, ask questions, engage with speakers and fellow attendees, and set meetings with anyone who might be a valuable connection. This not only enhances your learning but also builds valuable relationships for your business and your own career.
Follow up strategically after the event
The real value of B2B events often lies in the follow-up. After the event, reach out to new contacts, share insights with your team, implement the strategies you've learned, and follow up on any leads you might have generated for your sales team. This ensures the benefits of attending the event extend well beyond its duration.
Download our 2026 events calendar
In 2026, event marketing will undoubtedly offer an exhilarating landscape, particularly within the realm of B2B marketing events. As businesses increasingly prioritize genuine connections and immersive experiences, B2B conferences and expos will evolve to incorporate cutting-edge technology and interactive formats.
This shift promises to enhance engagement, foster collaboration, and drive innovation, making marketing conferences not just a networking and learning opportunity but a dynamic platform for transformative ideas and solutions. As brands seek to stand out in a competitive marketplace, the excitement surrounding B2B events will redefine how companies connect, learn, and grow together.
Download our 2026 B2B marketing events calendar to learn more about this year’s must-attend B2B events for marketers.
